“The concept of white privilege was created to hide white suffering.” “White-skin privilege conceals the fact that just like blacks, whites in America have no binding legal rights to health care, living wages, decent housing, and a viable public education system for their kids. Most whites in America are treated like niggers.”

“White people are killing themselves at a higher rising rate than members of any other racial group in America today. What’s going on? And for those of us who are not white, why should we give a damn? As an African American minister, this is why I give a damn.”

For those of you who know the tragic stories held close in our family, you understand why now more than ever we are evangelists for peaceable ways of life and living, founded in compassion and grace, that are just and accessible for all. Grateful for Thandeka’s courage to educate the world with her wisdoms.

For our family, as we still having one school age child, Summertime is an especially special time of the year.We have more freedom during this season than any other to plan vacations and take spur-of-the-moment adventures and spend time together as a family, and with friends, mostly unhindered by the demands of other things. We know we are fortunate for this. It is a blessing we are grateful for every day. Our wish is that every family can experience this kind of freedom, and, when they do, to choose to take the time to deepen the bonds of love with those who matter most to them.

I love this quote! My friend Angela is a crusader when it comes to helping heal addiction and her philosophy is as surprising as it is unique. (check out her website) and see how she is connecting celebrities to help with the mission of Rock the Record Straight™)

I am going to be thinking about how her idea of finite mindfulness relates to life practices in general whether struggling with addictions or simply seeking peace-of-mind and transforming negative feelings and thoughts.

Many spiritual practices turn our attention towards the infinite, which can help us see the larger picture of Oneness, yet it can sometimes also serve as a spiritual bypassing of sorts, which can become a habitual distraction, addictive in detaching (or hiding) rather than coping with what is present in our lives.

Bringing it to the finite perspective – which is truly what we have in each given moment –

is not only more manageable, but also practical in a spiritual sense because it opens the door to deep gratitude for the life we have, even if we are struggling in the moment, we are present to it and able to do something about it.

Regardless of how we personally interpret or experience the Holy. Regardless of which individual causes we are most inspired to dedicate time to. Regardless of where we place our priorities on our day-to-day lives. When any among our human family are adrift in turbulent waters of life, spiritually or physically, we are each Called to form such a chain as this. Because we are each other’s saviors. That is why we are here together on this planet.